URBAN REGENERATION AS AN INSTRUMENT OF IDENTITY PRESERVATION: A CASE STUDY OF TREBINJE’S KRŠ DISTRICT

Abstract

Established in the first half of the 18th century, the district of Krš in Trebinje was the first settlement to grow up
outside the town walls. It grew up spontaneously in response to the local natural environment and under a
mixture of Mediterranean and Oriental influences. Since the second half of the 20th century, the district has faced
dilapidation, a process that has not been countered yet, despite its recognised value as a cultural asset and the
quality of its ambience.
In this paper the present state of the district of Krš is analysed, along with the possibility of its adequate
protection relative to the applicable spatial and town plans, town planning ordinance and international charters
on the protection of cultural and natural heritage sites. Also considered is the formulation of a special strategy
that would help regenerating the area under consideration as well as safeguard its intangible cultural heritage and
genius loci.